Nissa Harris - Part 2

A storm had been hanging over Hartsend for the past three days and Nissa grew more worried as time went on. Aiden should have been home two days ago. She mentioned it to Cormag but he just said: "Cregor is with him," and shrugged it off. Nissa had never trusted that man. He came to the guild when he was young but was a better fighter than a smith, so Cormag took a liking in him and appointed him as Aiden's guard. In Nissa's opinion, he trusted too easily.

Nissa had decided to have another talk with Cormag again, and he would have to listen. She ran from the rose garden to Cormag's study.

"We must act now, my lord! Our son has been gone for two days. I will not worry another night!" Nissa commanded as she burst through the door, tears flowing from her wary eyes.

"Not this again. I grow tired of this, Nissa. He has Cregor and that is how I know Aiden is fine," Cormag had started getting annoyed with his wife.

"I have never trusted that man and you know this Cormag. What abou Greeley? When will we receive word from the guild of his arrival?" Nissa continued, frantically speaking.

Cormag stood up from his seat, slamming his fists against his table. "Enough of this, Nissa! I will not listen to this insufferable moaning any longer! Leave my study at once!" Cormag shouted at his wife.

"Excuse me, my Lord-"

"You heard me, woman. Leave now," Cormag said with a sigh.

Nissa gathered her thoughts, took a deep breath and exited her husband's study. She was deeply hurt by her husband's actions. "Has he really grown so ignorant?" she quietly said to herself as she walked away.

She travelled through the stone walls of Hartsend to the captain of the Southern army. She walked in to find sleeping men, the stench of mead and ale surrounding the area. She looked for the captain, finding that he was passed out in a puddle of what seemed to be his own piss.

"Wake up you lazy oaf," she kicked at his side, trying to wake him.

"Hmm. W..what do you want?" Captain Gade stuttered.

"You are all pissed! How do you plan on protecting anyone?" Nissa yelled at the stinky man. She was disgusted by the way that a Captain handled himself within the Harris walls.

"What? Does the North plan to invade? Do not make me laugh," Gade uttered, still drunk. The stench from his vile mouth filled the air, causing Nissa to roll her eyes.

"I am the high Lady of the South. You will address me with better manners, or my lord Cormag-"

"Cormag would what? Leave his study and his precious mead? That man's belly does not even allow him to stand up."

Nissa raised an eyebrow, the anger filling up inside of her body. She kicked him again.

She noticed that her husband was starting to lose his men. She could feel it in the eery stench that surrounded her. This was not the respect she thought they still had. She decided that something had to be done. She knew Cormag would not listen and the captain had very little worry left for their Kingdom.

Nissa knew that she would have to travel to the farming village to see if any men would be willing to fight, if it would require them to. This would be a two-day ride and she would want to know if Aiden had made it back home safely.

"I have no choice," she muttered under her breath as she made her way to the stables. She grabbed a withered brown bag from their kitchen and filled it with bread. She grabbed a water skin and filled it. After gathering the things she knew she would need, she selected the fastest horse they owned and went off. "If my husband cannot run the South, then I will."

As she made her way out of the stables, she saw a familiar face. The Master Smith in Hartsend. He had been away for a while, gathering supplies for himself. Master Hammer was all anyone had ever called him.

"Master Hammer, you have returned," Nissa pointed out with a sigh of relief. "The men grow sluggish. We need someone to toughen them up again."

"My lady, I am no warrior. I can arm the men but nothing more," Hammer said to her.

"Then I need you for a task," nissa said to him as she steadied her horse.

"What can I do for you, my Lady?"

"Ride for the blacksmith's guild. See what you can find of Aiden and Greeley. I fear something terrible is upon us," Nissa's worried expression was more than enough to convince the man.

"I will not ask questions, my Lady. I ride as soon as I am packed." Hammer made his way to his stall.

"I will find the truth. Something is not right."